Moorland, Iowa Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Shotgun

Lowe, who had a history of drug use and threatening behavior, found in possession of a stolen, sawed-off shotgun

A man who illegally possessed firearms on multiple occasions was sentenced May 6, 2020, to more than 6 years in federal prison.

Tanner Lowe, age 28, from Moorland, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 10, 2019, guilty plea to possession of firearm by a felon. In September 2018, Lowe was previously convicted of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and dominion/control of firearm/offensive weapon, in the Iowa District Court for Webster County.  This prior conviction prohibits Lowe from legally possessing a gun.

Evidence at the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, showed that on December 12, 2018, during a search warrant of Lowe’s residence, law enforcement officers located and seized a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun which was later determined to be stolen.  During a separate incident on July 31, 2017, Lowe threatened another individual with a shotgun during a dispute.  Lowe was a user of controlled substances at the time and therefore prohibited from possessing guns.  Law enforcement determined the shotgun had an obliterated serial number.

Lowe was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Lowe was sentenced to 77 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Lowe is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.